Developers and software engineers are finding it increasingly difficult to balance the demands for rapid technological innovation with the key need for safety and security. As new embedded devices are expected to deliver faster, smarter, and more interconnected capabilities, the pressure to meet these expectations often comes at a cost.
The global survey from BlackBerry Limited illustrates the complex tensions at play, as developers navigate tight deadlines, budgetary constraints, and stringent safety requirements.
Developers are under the gun, is innovation coming at the cost of safety?
Developers are constantly being pushed to innovate quickly, particularly in industries like automotive, healthcare, and industrial automation, where embedded systems are central to product functionality.
The challenge is that innovation often comes with tight project deadlines, which can conflict with the need for strict functional safety and security standards. BlackBerry’s survey brings this issue to the forefront, showing that many developers are caught in a difficult position, delivering cutting-edge solutions while making sure that safety protocols are not overlooked.
This challenge is most prominent in sectors where embedded systems directly impact human safety, such as autonomous driving systems or medical devices.
Global survey shows struggles in embedded software development
The global survey from BlackBerry, involving 1,000 embedded software developers and engineers, sheds light on the real-world struggles these professionals face. The data is particularly relevant for those working with BlackBerry’s QNX real-time OS and embedded systems software, but it offers insights applicable to the broader industry.
Blackberry’s survey explains that many developers are grappling with technical challenges and with resource limitations and managerial pressure to deliver projects on time. Constraints are causing widespread concerns about the trade-offs being made between safety and innovation.
Tight deadlines forcing developers to cut corners on safety
According to Blackberry’s survey, 75% of developers admit they have had to compromise safety requirements due to the urgency of deadlines. It is a troubling statistic, especially given the key role of embedded systems in high-stakes industries.
When selecting an operating system, developers place high priority on three main factors:
- Security
- Cost control
- Safety certifications
Pressure to meet these diverse needs often leads developers to make difficult choices. For instance, while security remains the top priority, it can sometimes be deprioritized when time and cost become major constraints.
The ripple effect of such compromises is massive, potentially leading to vulnerabilities in the field where embedded systems must operate flawlessly.
Developers eager to jump ship on their operating systems
A significant 74% of respondents indicate they are open to changing their current operating systems, a reflection of the widespread frustration with existing platforms. For those required to meet international safety standards, 61% report that it is either extremely or very challenging to achieve compliance with their current systems.
Such a level of dissatisfaction speaks volumes about the growing demand for more reliable, secure, and performance-driven OS options, especially in environments where failure is not an option.
Why security failures and performance issues are pushing developers to switch OS
Security, in particular, is a dominant concern, with breaches and vulnerabilities increasingly common in today’s interconnected world. Developers are seeking systems that perform well under pressure and can protect key data and functionalities from external threats.
Performance is another pressing issue, as embedded systems are required to manage complex tasks with high efficiency. When current OS solutions fail to meet these expectations, developers are left with little choice but to explore alternatives.
Blackberry’s survey also reveals that 44% of developers prefer open source operating systems as their platform of choice. Another 25% have no strong preference between open source and proprietary systems, highlighting the open-source movement’s influence in the development community.
Open source platforms offer familiarity and accessibility, which makes them attractive for developers working under tight timeframes and with limited resources.
Why open source OS is both a developer’s friend and foe
While open source systems offer flexibility, familiarity, and cost savings, they come with risks. One of the most notable drawbacks is the lack of rigorous safety certifications that proprietary systems often undergo.
Certifications are invaluable in industries where even a minor software flaw can have catastrophic consequences. Open source platforms, while powerful, do not always provide the same level of assurance when it comes to safety, reliability, or long-term support. For many developers, this trade-off is a difficult one to navigate.
With the growing pressure to meet deadlines and stick to budgets, many developers are turning to pre-certified software. Pre-certified software offers a solution that balances safety and speed, helping teams to hit their targets without sacrificing key safety measures.
Pre-certified software is seen as a way to simplify the development process, making sure that key safety and security checks are already accounted for before the software is deployed. This will save time and reduce the risk of costly delays caused by certification failures late in the project cycle.
Many operating systems fail to meet safety standards
Despite the availability of pre-certified options, 31% of developers admit that their current operating systems either lack the necessary safety certifications or only partially cover them.
It is a statistic that raises questions about the reliability of many widely used systems in sectors where safety is paramount. It also explains why so many developers are exploring new platforms that better meet these certification requirements.
Security continues to be a major concern for developers, especially those using open source systems. A risk of breaches is higher for open source platforms, which lack the extensive validation and testing processes that proprietary solutions typically undergo.
As more embedded systems connect to the Internet of Things (IoT), the potential for vulnerabilities increases, making it harder for developers to protect their systems from malicious attacks.
BlackBerry’s QNX offers developers a path to safety, security, and speed
In response to these challenges, BlackBerry promotes its QNX portfolio as a solution that addresses the key pain points developers face. The QNX suite offers developers a way to achieve key safety certification, maintain reliability, and reduce development time.
For organizations that need to meet stringent safety standards while managing complex embedded systems, QNX offers a compelling alternative to more traditional OS options.
